[6] The city thrived in the late 1880s with the construction of the Chattanooga, Rome and Columbus Railroad (later part of the Central of Georgia system).

[7] The Chattooga County Courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1909.

[7] The Summerville Depot, completed by the Central of Georgia in 1918, is also listed on the National Register, and is home to several annual festivals.

[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10 km2), all of it land.

U.S. Route 27 connects Summerville with Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the north, and Rome to the southeast.

Public education in Summerville is administered by the Chattooga County School District.